Well I posted the Sony story on another site, and well, im gonna post what I posted regarding it here, rather long, and some of you may disagree, but I dunno, I feel I made some good points. I think what we all need to keep in mind though is Society is never gonna get over racism, prejudice, or whatever for quite some time. It may shift from time to time, but humanity is just not able to move past these kind of ideals at the current, and probably future time. Sad, but true.

I suppose it can really be said that its in the eyes of the beholder on this one. If anything, I see it as merely a fun little challenge, the black person (black PSP) being challenged by the white person (white psp). I dont see it as the white person whooping the black person, or looking at her as though shes lesser. I see it as..say a fight between a black soldier and a white soldier.

You dont go on saying that..."ZOMG, KILL BILL IS RACIST CAUSE A WHITE WOMAN KILLS ASIAN WOMEN!! ZOMG!!" To me, I sort of see the same thing going on here. There is no "blatant" racism going on, and frankly, the only people who would see racism are those who feel that racism should still be considered as a basis for any clash between white and black, or whatever.

Personally, I get a small feeling that this is in some way just another crack at the gaming industry. I wonder if, for instance, a car manufacturer did something like this. Would the reaction be the same? Would anyone even care?

Another interesting aspect, is that American organizations are outcrying this...when the billboard is IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, and the company is FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY. Who are we to involve ourselves in something like this. Especially the NAACP, when they said,

"The days of blacks being portrayed in minstrel shows are long gone, and with good reason," Callender said. "The minstrel show was an awful chapter in history and this ad smacks of that age and time. It is even further unacceptable that some corporations still think it is ok to use racially charged media images. The latest Sony ad conjures up bad memories of when stereotypical and offensive images of people of color were accepted means of selling a product. Sony should immediately apologize and discontinue these archaic advertising tactics."

Wow, so quick to say its racially charged eh? How bout instead of damning every use of different skin colors, you might...I dunno, think of it as just a normal part of life? You should try and hide the fact that black people are "black" and that white people are white. Its like saying you shouldnt contrast between green grass and brown dirt. In my opinion, your just propagating racial stereotypes by insinuiating that this billboard is racially charged. I say that weve reached the point nowadays that this should NOT be a problem. Its not like its saying white is better than black, or vice versa. Its just contrast. So what that they used human beings? They could have easily used dogs, or cats, or something else, yet somehow, if its human, its so much worse?

Is it because of slavery and oppression? How bout you forget about it, realize blacks as slaves is part of the past, and stop trying to dredge it up at every convenient chance you get? Yeah, theres still racism, still oppression, but ya know what? There is always gonna be. You could say "By accepting this add as not being racist, your saying its ok being racist, and that racism is ok"

Of course im not, im not saying that at all, but in my opinion, this does not seem racist, or insensitive, or anything of the sort, its simply an add, portaying a white person and a black person. Couldnt you say that always portraying attractive women, and men, is prejudice against not so attractive men and woman who are probably just as ridiculed as ethnic groups are today. Its rediculous bickering, when all this energy could be used on so much better things.

I have to agree this is rather rediculous. I think it was morgan freeman who said that in order to remove racism, we have to think it doesnt exist (Or something along that lines, I forget the exact wording). While obviously you cant just make something disappear by not thinking about it, he has a point in that if you try and point out anything REMOTELY racist, your adding to the fact that racism is still a viable and "normal" part of our culture, and while im totally against racism, I think sometimes people see things that arnt always there.

Frankly, everyones always gonna be racist, and prejudice, but its never generated towards one race in particular. How many "white" folk are insulted racially? How many asians? Latinos? How many homosexuals, other sexual preferences are prejudiced (is that a word?) againts ya know?

I mean if its obvious racism, like "This is my slave, african mcblackblack, go out back and whip him for 40 gold cause he tried to learn to read" or something, then yeah, theres a need to stand up, but something like this, or the "pokemon" thing. Its fucking rediculous.

I dont think its a bad deal, if your not using it to transfer some low level you might not play ever again. Ive read responses on a few sites, and most were inneligable l33t speak gibberish, or "BLIZZARD, A COMPANY THAT MAKES GAMES TO MAKE MONEY IS A BIG MONEY GRUBBING SELLOUT WHORE!" Yeah, the sarcasm oozes from that statement, but it collectively reflects what I read...-_-

Anywho, I think that for a 50+ char, its an alright deal...$25 may be a wee much for the restrictions they have in place, but as it stands, its an optional feature, so really, its only used when most needed, or by idiots who waste money.

Haha good point Sarcas, but I agree that I am dissapointed in the MMO fad at the moment. Even Bioware is heading there...which scares me, as they are practically the pervayers of the only decent good PC RPG's in recent years...though hopefully Obsidian will add nicely with their NWN2.

For me, I guess I miss the days of epic PC rpgs like Icewind Dale II, Badlurs Gate II, etc. The closest weve had to those in a few years on the PC were the KOTOR games, a NWN, and KOTOR was developed for console as well.

PC Devs seem to enjoy more of the blah hack n slash of diablo and MMO for the RPG franchise than true rpgs...though what a "true" rpg is is really based on each person perspective.

I guess..I just see more RPG elements to other games nowadays than rpg with other game elements...if that makes sense.

I have to agree with that. I don't always watch what I type, especially in an instance like if im instancing in WoW, because I don't always have the time to check my spelling when im telling someone what to do, or how to help another player out. Of course, nobodies perfect, and I usually let some mistakes go, as I do the same thing. I may add a comma where its not supposed to go or miss an uppercase at the beginning of a sentence.

I do hate, however, people who consistantly use shortened speech, take for example this following sentence.

"Wuld u no how 2 reech *insert quest givers name here*"

It's rather pathetic, and is a horrible butchering of our supposedly sophisticated language. I can see using shorthand to some degree in certain instances, but some folk believe it is the only way to type, and goddamnit, it bugs me. I dont mind honest mistakes, or very minor things, but not using the english language the way it was meant to be used. Well it pisses me off.

Well theres my two cents, and hell, ill throw in a third just to piss off someone. ^_^

Well I have yet to pick up a DS because of my financial situation, but as soon as that is fixed, I really want to pick one up. It seems more interesting to me than a PSP, and this new version looks great, so ill be picking it up. I just hope they release more colors soon, as im not a fan of white colored handhelds. They get grimy looking way to fast.

Well here I am...two years later, thinking of trying out FFXI again. I played right around when it was released, but found myself frustrated to no end at the slower pace and cumbersome feeling GUI. Now, ive been playing WoW for about a year now, and while I enjoy the game...I get somewhat bored with it...especially in reference to the limited class selections. Now, of course, I did not care much for having to start anew once you gained one of the more advanced classes in FFXI, especially since I seemed to have a tough time leveling (Of course, I wasnt as MMO savvy then..but regardless ive always been a somewhat slow leveler compared to most..though why I do not know)

Anyways, like I said, its been about two years or so, and Ive been thinking of trying it out. The game itself isnt to expensive, and the montly fee is cheaper, compared to wow...though I wish to know if FFXI still does that utterly retarded thing where if you sign up on the 30th, and then the 1st comes around, you get charged for both months..even though you only played the previous months last two days....at least thats how I understood it when I got the bill.

So im wondering, is there still a decent beginner base that ill have some luck finding a group? I am perfectly fine with grouping, in fact its one of the parts I enjoy most about WoW, when the others in my group arnt morons, but it seems odd that if FFXI is meant to be a more group oriented game...then how come I always here about folks having a tough time trying to find groups...this confuses me a tad.

Secondly...unlike WoW, there are many classes here to choose from, and I have no idea where to start. I tend to like more melee oriented classes, utilizing either tanking, dps, or a mixture of both. I do enjoy the occasional caster class..but I prefer a more Melee/Mage hybrid than a full blown mage. Any suggestions on what I should work towards should I decide to play?

Thirdly...is the game enjoyable? I realize its a time sink but is it wasted time, or time where your at least leveling, gaining items, doing quests, and progressing the story time, or is it just meandering about, trying to find a party or figure out whats next to do. I have patience...but not that kind haha.

Lastly, have they done anything to make the UI a little less cumbersome. I really enjoyed the ease of use the UI of WoW had, as it left me little time pondering how to remeber to access this or that, and let me get right into the questing and combat.

Well if you can answer these questions, thank you, if not, thank you anyways ^^

Ive been wanting to give this game a shot...but Id rather do a trial than outright buy it...as im still a little weary about it at the same time haha. If I do end up joining sometime in the future, ill let ya know.

Err sorry, I didnt mean ALL vegatarians..I meant those that think like...eating animals is wrong or some such, not those who do it for dieting and whatnot...I should really specify myself..I feel like a politician right now ><

And like I said, I wasnt sure haha dade. It must have been SIV not SID, Ahh well, it was Simian, and it came from monkeys, yep.

EDIT: Err...why would eating meat be unhealthy...if its cooked properly..its got protient, and stuff...??? If it was sugar or some such, I could see cause of diabetes..and I guess to me..vegetarians are those who dont eat meat because its meat, and an animal died, and blah blah...yep...><